Recognising a Palestinian State: David Cameron’s Speech

Photo Courtesy: GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

After months of war in Gaza, Foreign Secretary David Cameron suggested this week that the UK could move toward recognition of a Palestinian State.

In his speech to the Conservative Middle East Council on Monday, Cameron announced that the UK could formally recognise a Palestinian state after a ceasefire in Gaza without waiting for the outcome of talks between the two sides.

In a speech to the UK media, the Foreign Secretary claimed that the UK’s aim has been for a two-state solution, with a ‘secure and stable’ Israel within its borders, and the same in Palestine.

Cameron declared that recognising Palestinian sovereignty is ‘absolutely vital’ for the peace and security of the region. While the UK's formal recognition might not immediately bring about an end to the conflict, the former Prime Minister maintained that Palestinian statehood ‘doesn’t have to come at the end of the process’.

The move has come under fire by certain Conservative MPs, including ex-Tory cabinet minister Theresa Villiers who argued that recognising Palestine’s statehood would ‘reward Hamas’ atrocities’ after the 7th October. Moreover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly opposed this, referring to the move as an ‘irreversible’ decision.

However, the move towards acceptance of the Palestinian state has largely been accepted as a necessary one – Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot called it ‘significant’.

Others have argued this stance comes too late, with the death toll in Gaza rising to 28 000, and the UK government's latest statement has reiterated that it will only recognise a Palestinian state ‘at a time when it best serves the objective of peace’. However, the Foreign Secretary maintains that the UK is ‘determined to do all [it] can to press for a sustainable ceasefire’, and ‘stepping up engagement with countries in the region to make sure that happens’.